Enhancing aquaculture production of the tropical abalone using complementary genetic and environmental approaches. While temperate abalone are one of our most valuable seafoods, there is a growing demand worldwide for the ?cocktail?-sized tropical abalone Haliotis asinina. Australia is well positioned to capture the market for this rapidly growing species. We propose to enhance the already favourable growth rates of Haliotis asinina in aquaculture by delineating critical environmental and geneti ....Enhancing aquaculture production of the tropical abalone using complementary genetic and environmental approaches. While temperate abalone are one of our most valuable seafoods, there is a growing demand worldwide for the ?cocktail?-sized tropical abalone Haliotis asinina. Australia is well positioned to capture the market for this rapidly growing species. We propose to enhance the already favourable growth rates of Haliotis asinina in aquaculture by delineating critical environmental and genetic factors that effect production. This proposal uniquely melds commercial production practices at MG Kailis Export Pty Ltd with expertise in aquaculture and marine biotechnology present at The University of Queensland and CSIRO Marine Research. This knowledge will enhance the development of this new aquaculture industry in tropical Australia.Read moreRead less
The Integrated Bio-economy Project and the Controlled Biosphere. This project aims to develop advanced controlled environment production systems (Controlled Biosphere) that exceed the industry standard for profitability, sustainability and climatic resilience. It will generate new knowledge and innovations in technology integration through a highly multi-disciplinary approach. The project outcomes will yield Techno-Economic and Life-Cycle Analyses, designs of the Controlled Biosphere and support ....The Integrated Bio-economy Project and the Controlled Biosphere. This project aims to develop advanced controlled environment production systems (Controlled Biosphere) that exceed the industry standard for profitability, sustainability and climatic resilience. It will generate new knowledge and innovations in technology integration through a highly multi-disciplinary approach. The project outcomes will yield Techno-Economic and Life-Cycle Analyses, designs of the Controlled Biosphere and supporting policy frameworks. The benefits of this project address worsening resource constraints (e.g. available fresh water, arable land, nutrients); By 2050 we will require 70% more food, and 80% greenhouse gas emissions reductions, to maintain economic, social, political and climate security.Read moreRead less
Strength in uniformity - novel clonal technologies for a more productive avocado industry. Cost and time efficient clonal propagation protocols to multiply elite avocado rootstocks for increased productivity is a major industry gap. This project will develop novel approaches coupling tissue culture with recent advances in root induction, which will profitably deliver large numbers of uniform and high yielding avocado plants to national and international growers.
DNA methylation in IVF and cloned embryos. In vitro fertilisation (IVF) and cloning are new assisted reproductive technologies that in time will revolutionise genetic improvement of Australia's economically important animals. IVF and cloning can be associated with aberrant growth that results from atypical gene expression. DNA methylation is central to gene regulation and determines which genes are expressed. In this project a new technique will be used to quantify DNA methylation in naturall ....DNA methylation in IVF and cloned embryos. In vitro fertilisation (IVF) and cloning are new assisted reproductive technologies that in time will revolutionise genetic improvement of Australia's economically important animals. IVF and cloning can be associated with aberrant growth that results from atypical gene expression. DNA methylation is central to gene regulation and determines which genes are expressed. In this project a new technique will be used to quantify DNA methylation in naturally conceived, IVF and cloned embryos. The information will be used to improve IVF and cloning so that these technologies can be applied with confidence to increase the international competitiveness of Australia's livestock industries.Read moreRead less
Eco-Turf: Water and nutrient use efficient turfgrasses from Australian biodiversity. Domestic water consumption in Australia is approximately 30% higher than the OECD average. Approximately one third of domestic water consumption is applied to the garden, including turfgrass lawns. Turfgrasses are significant users of fertilisers, which can lead to problems with runoff and infiltration into the water table. We will use the unique diversity of Australian couch grasses to identify new turfs for ....Eco-Turf: Water and nutrient use efficient turfgrasses from Australian biodiversity. Domestic water consumption in Australia is approximately 30% higher than the OECD average. Approximately one third of domestic water consumption is applied to the garden, including turfgrass lawns. Turfgrasses are significant users of fertilisers, which can lead to problems with runoff and infiltration into the water table. We will use the unique diversity of Australian couch grasses to identify new turfs for domestic, sportsground and amenity lawns. This project will develop tools to select turfgrasses that maintain quality with reduced inputs of water and nutrients, leading to an overall reduction in resource use and downstream ecological effects. Benefits of this project extend to urban and rural communities Australia-wide.Read moreRead less
The tree legume Pongamia pinnata on coal mine spoil: an integrated and sustainable rehabilitation, bioenergy and carbon farming production system. This project aims to assess the growth performance of the tree legume Pongamia pinnata on coal mine overburden. The expected growth of Pongamia on what is regarded as poor quality soil will lead to the development of an integrated production system that will provide benefits through rehabilitation of lands, biofuel feedstock, and carbon farming.
Combining molecular plant physiology and breeding to improve canola (Brassica napus) performance in dry environments. Canola is Australia's most important oilseed crop with 1,400,000 hectares sown annually worth $560m. The major abiotic factor limiting canola production in Australia is water availability. Transpiration efficiency (TE) is a trait with potential to contribute to improved drought tolerance of grain crops. This project seeks to select canola germplasm with improved TE by indirect s ....Combining molecular plant physiology and breeding to improve canola (Brassica napus) performance in dry environments. Canola is Australia's most important oilseed crop with 1,400,000 hectares sown annually worth $560m. The major abiotic factor limiting canola production in Australia is water availability. Transpiration efficiency (TE) is a trait with potential to contribute to improved drought tolerance of grain crops. This project seeks to select canola germplasm with improved TE by indirect selection for carbon-isotope-discrimination. In addition we will use the extensive Brassica-Arabidopsis genome synteny to locate and alter the expression of genes involved in TE using Arabidopsis as a model. The longterm aim is to improve the reliability and overall grain production of canola in Australia. Read moreRead less
Genomic strategies for reducing losses during processing and improving the nutritional value of wheat in human diets. Wheat breeding requires efficient tools to allow selection of varieties with both high grain yield and good functional and nutritional value. Whole genome analysis will be used to develop screening methods to deliver wheat varieties with novel processing and nutritional properties for human diets contributing to global food and nutritional security.
Molecular tracing of spectacled flying-fox (Pteropus conspicillatus) movements in rainforests and orchards of wet tropical Queensland. This project uses molecular markers to trace movements of spectacled flying-foxes in the wet tropics of north Queensland. The intention is to determine the origins of bats visiting orchards, determine patterns of seasonal and intra-seasonal migration of bats and to document the significance of such migrations to estimation of population numbers and trends. These ....Molecular tracing of spectacled flying-fox (Pteropus conspicillatus) movements in rainforests and orchards of wet tropical Queensland. This project uses molecular markers to trace movements of spectacled flying-foxes in the wet tropics of north Queensland. The intention is to determine the origins of bats visiting orchards, determine patterns of seasonal and intra-seasonal migration of bats and to document the significance of such migrations to estimation of population numbers and trends. These data are critical to conservation of bat populations, to the ecologically sustainable development of fruit growing in the region and the long term sustainable management of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area.Read moreRead less
Applications-oriented elucidation of germination triggers for Emu Bush seed. The project aims to determine the environmental and genetic mechanisms that currently limit seed germination in Emu Bush (Eremophila) species. The anticipated project outcomes aim to develop new technologies for efficient and mass production of Emu Bush seedlings. The outcomes will improve land restoration by increasing plant diversity and reducing establishment costs, and will also provide the nursery industry with nov ....Applications-oriented elucidation of germination triggers for Emu Bush seed. The project aims to determine the environmental and genetic mechanisms that currently limit seed germination in Emu Bush (Eremophila) species. The anticipated project outcomes aim to develop new technologies for efficient and mass production of Emu Bush seedlings. The outcomes will improve land restoration by increasing plant diversity and reducing establishment costs, and will also provide the nursery industry with novel products for home gardens. The intended project benefits are to increase the diversity of Australian native plants used for restoration and ornamental purposes and to promote the conservation of species in this plant family and its genetic diversity.Read moreRead less